Well screen with extending filter

ABSTRACT

A well screen assembly for a wellbore includes a base pipe and a filter assembly carried on the base pipe. The filter assembly has an internal passage in fluid communication with an opening through the base pipe. A swell material is carried in the base pipe between the filter assembly and the base pipe. The swell material is adapted to expand under specified conditions and displace the filter assembly radially toward a wall of the wellbore. A flow control device is provided in fluid communication between the internal passage of the filter assembly and the opening in the base pipe and is adapted to restrict communication of fluid with the opening in the base pipe. The well screen assembly can include a hydraulic, electric or optical communication line running axially through a length of the well screen assembly.

BACKGROUND

In a well system, sand control screens are used to filter againstpassage of particulate from the wellbore into the production string. Thewellbore around the screens is often packed with gravel to assist instabilizing the formation and to pre-filter against particulate beforethe particulate reaches the screens. A uniform gravel packing can,however, be difficult to achieve due to formation of sand bridges andother complications experienced when pumping the gravel slurry into theregion around the screens. Therefore, sometimes expandable screens thatexpand into contact with the wellbore are used in place of gravelpacking. The expandable screens are less problematic to install and canprovide similar filtering and formation support as an arrangement ofconventional screens and gravel packing.

SUMMARY

This disclosure describes a well screen with a swell material thatexpands to extend filters into contact with the wellbore. The wellscreen can include features such as communication lines and a flowcontrol device to enable control of fluid flow between the wellbore andthe interior of the screen assembly.

Certain aspects encompass a well screen assembly for installation in asubterranean wellbore. The well screen assembly includes a base pipehaving a sidewall opening to an interior of the base pipe. A filterassembly is carried on the base pipe and has an internal passage influid communication with the opening. The filter assembly is adapted tofilter against passage of particulate from the wellbore into theopening. A swell material is carried in the base pipe between the filterassembly and the base pipe. The swell material is adapted to expandunder specified conditions and displace the filter assembly radiallytoward a wall of the wellbore. A flow control device is provided influid communication between the internal passage of the filter assemblyand the opening in the base pipe and is adapted to restrictcommunication of fluid with the opening in the base pipe.

Certain aspects encompass a well screen assembly for installation in asubterranean wellbore. The well screen assembly includes a base pipehaving a sidewall opening to an interior of the base pipe. A filterassembly is carried on the base pipe and has an internal passage influid communication with the opening. The filter assembly is adapted tofilter against passage of particulate from the wellbore into theopening. A swell material is carried in the base pipe between the filterassembly and the base pipe. The swell material is adapted to expandunder specified conditions and displace the filter assembly radiallytoward a wall of the wellbore. A communication line is carried by thebase pipe.

Certain aspects encompass a method. According to the method, in responseto the presence of a specified fluid, a plurality of filters on a basepipe are extended from a retracted state to a radially extended state incontact a wall of a wellbore. With the filters, particulate of aspecified size and larger is filtered from passage between the wellboreand an interior of the filters while flow of fluid is allowed.Communication of the flow between the interior of the filters and theinterior bore of the base pipe is also restricted.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanyingdrawings and the description below. Other features, objects, andadvantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and fromthe claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an example well system incorporating aplurality of well screen assemblies.

FIG. 2A is a perspective exterior view of the well screen assembly.

FIGS. 2B and 2C are axial cross sectional views of the well screenassembly of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a detail side cross-section view of an end of an example wellscreen assembly having a flow control device in the form of adissolvable material.

FIG. 3B is a detail side cross-section view of an end of an example wellscreen assembly having a flow control device in the form of a chokeinsert.

FIG. 3C is a detail side cross-section view of an end of an example wellscreen assembly having a flow control device in the form of a valve.

FIG. 4A is a detail side cross-sectional view of an example check valve.

FIG. 4B is a detail side cross-sectional view of an example autonomousvalve.

FIG. 4C is a cylindrical projection of an example autonomous valve.

FIG. 5 is an axial cross-section of an example well screen assemblyhaving a communication line running axially through the well screenassembly.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first to FIG. 1, an example well system 10 is shown toillustrate an example application of well screen assemblies 24 and 26.The well system 10 includes a subterranean wellbore 12 extending fromthe terranean surface through one or more subterranean zones of interest20. The subterranean zones 20 can correspond to all or a portion of asubterranean formation (e.g., hydrocarbon bearing formation) and/ormultiple formations. The well bore 12 shown in FIG. 1 is a “horizontal”well bore, and has a substantially vertical section 14 and asubstantially horizontal section 18. The concepts herein, however, areapplicable to many other configurations of well bores, such as verticalwells, slanted wells, other deviated wells, multi-laterals, and/or otherconfigurations. The wellbore 12 can be cased or partially cased. Forexample, in FIG. 1, the vertical section 14 includes a casing 16cemented at an upper portion thereof, and the horizontal section 18 isopen hole through the subterranean zone 20.

A tubing string 22, for example a production and/or injection string,resides in the well bore 12 and extends from the surface. The tubingstring 22 can communicate fluids between the subterranean zone 20 andthe surface. The screen assemblies 24, 26 are distributed along thetubing string 22 proximate the subterranean zone 20. The screenassemblies 24, 26 are sand control screen assemblies that can filter outparticulate materials from well fluids, direct the well fluids to aninner diameter of the tubing string 22, and stabilize the formation 20.As is discussed in more detail below, the screen assemblies 24, 26 areof a type that radially expand into contact with an interior wall ofwellbore 12 and are shown in an operating or a radially expandedconfiguration. An example screen assembly that can be used as screenassemblies 24, 26 is disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. U.S.2011/0036565, entitled “Control Screen Assembly,” filed Aug. 12, 2009,the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. Three screenassemblies, one screen assembly 24 and two screen assemblies 26, areshown. In other instances, fewer or more screen assemblies 24, 26 can beused. Also, in other instances, the screen assemblies may be all of onetype (e.g., all screen assemblies 24 or all screen assemblies 26) or amixture.

FIG. 2A is a side exterior view of a well screen assembly 24. The wellscreen assembly 24 includes a base pipe 32, end rings 30, 33, anintermediate ring 31, a plurality of filter assemblies 38 arrangedaround the base pipe 32 and spanning between the end rings 30, 33 andintermediate ring 31, and in certain instances, a control device 34.Well screen assembly 26 is similar in construction to well screenassembly 24, but lacks an intermediate ring 31. Thus, the filterassemblies 38 span only between end rings 30, 33. The base pipe 32 is anelongate tubular structure for fluid communication therethrough, and isconfigured to couple in-line (e.g., threadingly by box and pin and/orotherwise) with the remainder of the tubing string. The end rings 30, 33and the intermediate ring 31 (“the rings 30, 31, 33”) are around theexterior of the base pipe 32. In instances that a control device 34 isprovided, the control device 34 is embedded between the filterassemblies 38 and the base pipe 32, for example in an end ring 30, 33,and controls communication of fluid between the wellbore 12 and theinterior of the base pipe 32 via the filter assemblies 38. The filterassemblies 38 filter against passage of particulate during communicationof fluid between an exterior of the well screen assembly 24 and theinterior of the base pipe 32.

FIG. 2B is an axial cross-section through an end ring 30, and FIG. 2C anaxial cross-section intermediate the end ring 30 and intermediate ring31. Swell materials 35 (FIG. 2C) are disposed circumferentially aroundthe base pipe 32 and axially between the rings 30, 31, 33. As describedin more detail below, the swell materials 35 expand in contact with anactivating fluid. The filter assemblies 38 are positioned on an exteriorof the swell material 35. In certain instances, the filter assemblies 38can be retained in grooves in the rings 30, 31, 33 in a runningconfiguration and can be allowed to detach from the grooves in anoperating configuration. The swell material can be configured to expandand displace the filter assemblies 38 radially when contacted with theactuating fluid, for example, to achieve an operating configuration.

The filter assemblies 38 may be filtration tubes that extend axiallyalong the base pipe 32 and have a substantially rectangular shape. Thefilter assemblies 38 each include a housing 41 for filter material 40.The housing 41 can include apertures 39 (FIG. 2A) concentrated near theends or distributed along its entire length that allow well fluids toenter the filter assemblies 38 and filter out particulate larger than aspecified size. The filter material 40 can include filtration openingsthrough which further filter out particulate larger than a (typically,but not necessarily smaller) specified size. In one example, the filtermaterial 40 is a fine mesh. Once in the filter media 38, fluid isdirected, through an axial interior passage of the media 38, to one ormore of the rings 30, 31, 33. Tubes 37 extend from the interior passageof the media 38. In certain configurations, such as that of FIG. 2B, thetubes 37 extend through the openings 42 in the base pipe 32. In otherconfigurations, such as that of FIGS. 3B, the tubes 37 extend intointernal chambers of the control devices 34 without extending throughthe base pipe 32. The tubes 37 communicate fluids from the filterassemblies 38 into the base pipe 32, as well as guide the filterassemblies 38 when moving between the radially expanded and retractedpositions.

In instances where a control device 34 is provided, it can include oneor more chokes, valves and/or other devices for affecting flow rate,pressure or other aspects of the communication of fluids. A ring 30, 31,33 can have one control device 34 or more than one control device 34,and the control devices 34 can be of the same type or different types.Different rings 30, 31, 33 in the same screen assembly 24, 26 can alsohave the same or different types of control devices, and some can haveno control devices 34. By having different control devices 34 indifferent screen assemblies 24, 26 and/or different rings 30, 31, 33 ofdifferent screen assemblies 24, 26 along the length a tubing string, onecan create a desired pressure and/or flow profile, for example, toachieve a specified production and/or injection profile. For instance,some horizontal wells have issues with the heel-toe effect, where gas orwater cones in the heel of the well and causes a difference in fluidinflux along the length of the well. The differences in fluid influx canlead to premature gas or water break through, significantly reducing theproduction from the reservoir. The control devices 34 of differingresistance to flow can be positioned in the string to stimulate inflowat the toe and balance fluid inflow along the length of the well. Inanother example, different zones of the formation accessed by the wellcan produce at different rates. The control devices 34 can be placed inthe production string to reduce production from high producing zones,and thus stimulate production from low or non-producing zones. Stillother circumstances to balance or otherwise control fluid inflow exist.

The swell material 35 can expand upon contact with an activating fluidand displace the filter assemblies 38 to contact an internal diameter ofa wellbore. The activating fluid can include well fluids, such ashydrocarbon liquid, water, and gas, and/or other fluids. Varioustechniques can be used to contact the swell material 35 with anactivating fluid. One technique includes configuring the swell material35 to expand upon contact with activating fluids already present withinthe well bore when the screen assembly 24, 26 is installed or withactivating fluids produced by the formation after installation. Theswell material 35 may include a mechanism for delaying swell to preventswelling during installation. Examples of a mechanism for delaying swellinclude an absorption delaying layer, coating, membrane, or composition.Another technique includes circulating activating fluid through the wellafter the screen assembly 24, 26 is installed in the well. In otherembodiments, swell material 35 is capable of expansion upon its locationin an environment having a temperature or a pressure that is above aspecified threshold in addition to or alternative to an activatingfluid.

Expansion of the swell material 35 can displace the filter assemblies 38to contact or approximate the formation 20 at the wellbore 12. Thethickness of the swell material 35 can be selected based on the diameterof the screen assembly 24, 26 and the diameter of the well bore 12 tomaximize contact area of the filter assemblies 38 with the wellbore 12upon expansion. In some embodiments, part of the swell material 35expands between the filter assemblies 38 and contacts the formation 20at the wellbore 12 between the filter mediums 38 to conform tonon-uniform wellbore diameters. The swelled screen assembly 24, 26 canreduce or eliminate annular flow of well fluids, provide multiple flowpaths for filtered well fluids, and provide stabilization to thewellbore 12. For example, the swelled screen assembly 24 can support theformation 20 to prevent formation collapse.

FIG. 3A is a detail side cross-section view of an end of an example wellscreen assembly 300 that could be used as the well screen assembly 24,26. The example well screen assembly 300 of FIG. 3A includes a flowcontrol device in the form of a dissolvable material 302 embedded in thefilter assemblies 38 and seals against flow between the interior of thebase pipe 32 and the surrounding wellbore via the filter assemblies 38.The dissolvable material can be selected to dissolve in response tocertain fluids (e.g., the actuating fluid and/or another fluid) and/orwhen exposed to certain conditions, such as a specified temperatureand/or pressure (e.g., high temperatures associated with steaminjection). In certain instances, the dissolvable material 302 can be aplasticized acid coating such as polylactic acid (PLA),polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA), or similar. Other examples ofdissolvable material exist. The dissolvable materials can be coated,injected, and/or pressed into the filter assemblies before assembly orinstallation in the well, forming a filled non-porous surface. Forexample, the dissolvable materials can be embedded into the apertures ofthe filter assembly housing, the axial interior passage and/or theopenings in the filter material. After installation of the screen intothe wellbore, the dissolving fluid or fluid that creates the dissolvingconditions can be filled into the base tube 32 and/or into the wellborearound the screen to dissolve the dissolvable material 302 and open thescreen assembly 300 to flow. The dissolvable materials provide amultitude of functions. For example, the dissolvable material 302 caneliminate the need to treat the mud prior to running screen bycompletely protecting the filter assemblies from contamination andclogging. In addition, in instances where the dissolvable material 302is or contains an acid, it can also eliminate the need to pump an acidtreatment to degrade the filtercake, because the acid of the dissolvablematerial can degrade the filtercake. Furthermore, the coating 302 caneliminate the need to run a wash pipe by creating a low pressurebarrier/conduit through the screen, and enabling the screen to be usedas a wash pipe prior to dissolving the dissolvable material.

FIG. 3B is a detail side cross-sectional view of an end of an examplewell screen assembly 400 that could be used as the well screen assembly24, 26. The example well screen assembly 400 of FIG. 3B includes a flowcontrol device in the form of a choke insert 56. In FIG. 3B, theillustration details a connector ring 52 and a housing 58, both of whichare part of a ring, such as the rings 30, 31, 33 shown in FIG. 2A. Oneend of connector ring 52 is sealingly coupled to the housing 58 that iscircumferentially welded to the base pipe 32. The other end of theconnector ring 52 is coupled to the arrangement of filter assemblies 38.The housing 58 internally receives the choke insert 56. As above, thefilter assembly 38 resides around a swell material 35. Fluids can enterthe filter assembly 38 and pass through the tube 37; however, tube 37does not pass through the base pipe 32. Rather fluids travel into thehousing 58 and through the choke tube 56 before passing into the basepipe 32 via one or more openings 59. The choke tube 56 has a specifieddiameter that restricts flow and creates a pressure drop. A single choketube 56 can be provided in the housing 58, or multiple choke tubes 56can be provided and arranged to provide the pressure drop. The choketube 56 can be an insert to the housing 58 and retained in the housing58 by a retainer nut 55 or can be integrally formed in the structure.Configuring the choke tube 56 as an insert facilitates interchanging thechoke tube 56 with others of different restrictions. By having differentrestriction choke tubes 56 in different screen assemblies along thelength of a tubing string, one can create a specified pressure and/orflow profile, for example, to achieve a specified production and/orinjection profile. Additionally, there need not be one flow controldevice per screen assembly 400. For example, in certain instances, oneor more, but fewer than all of the rings 30, 31, 33 of a screen assembly(screen assembly 400 or the other configurations of screen assemblydescribed below) contain flow control devices and the remaining rings30, 31, 33 are configured so that fluids from their respective tube 37flow into a flow path that runs axially along the screen assembly. Theflow path is fluidically isolated from the flow bore of base pipe 32,and communicates the fluid to one of the rings 30, 31, 33 with a flowcontrol device to thereafter be controlled by the flow control device.

FIG. 3C is a detail side cross-sectional view of an end of anotherexample well screen assembly 500 that could be used as well screenassembly 24, 26. The example well screen assembly 500 of FIG. 3Cincludes a flow control device in the form of a valve 60. Thearrangement of the filter assemblies and tubes, connector ring andhousing are similar to that described above, and the valve 60 ispositioned between the filter assemblies and the one or more apertures59. The valve 60 is adapted to selectively change between allowing andsealing against flow between the interior of the base pipe 32 and thewellbore 12 via the filter assemblies 38. In certain instances, thevalve 60 can be a check valve, an autonomous valve, a valve controlledto open, close and/or change its restriction to flow in response to asignal (e.g., electrical, hydraulic, optic and/or other signal), or acombination of such valves and others. For example, a check valve canallow for unidirectional flow or a flow with less resistance in onedirection and higher resistance in the other. In certain instances, thescreen assembly 500 can be provided with a check valve oriented to allowflow from the interior of the base pipe 32 to the well bore 12 via thefilter assemblies 38 and to seal against flow from the wellbore 12 viathe filter assemblies 38 and to an interior of the base pipe 32 or viceversa. An autonomous valve can respond to fluids of certain properties(viscosity, speed, etc.) to provide less or more restriction. In certaininstances, the screen assembly 500 can be provided with an autonomousvalve that can change between allowing and restricting against flowbetween the interior of the base pipe 32 and the wellbore 12 via thefilter assemblies 38 in response to a fluid flow characteristic, suchas, at least one of fluid flow rate, viscosity or density.

FIG. 4A shows an example check valve 62 that could be used as valve 60.The example check valve 62 is oriented to allow flow from the filterassemblies into the base pipe 32, but seal against flow from the basepipe 32 toward the filter assemblies. The check valve 62 has a flexible,annular sleeve 61 around the base pipe 32 in the interior of the housing58. In certain instances, the flexible sleeve 61 is a polymer, such asbutyl rubber, VITON fluoroelastomer (a registered trademark of DuPontPerformance Polymers, LLC), and/or other polymers. The end of the sleeve61 towards the filter assemblies 38 is sealingly affixed to the housing58 by a sleeve carrier 63, and the end of the sleeve 61 opposite thefilter assemblies 38 is free, although it is also a tight fit around thebase pipe 32. The plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures 59 areprovided in the base pipe 32 adjacent the sleeve 61.

When pressure in the interior of the base pipe 32 is lower than thepressure in the filter assemblies, fluid flows past the sleeve 61,through the apertures 59, and into the interior of the base pipe 32. Thefluid tends to push the free end of the flexible sleeve 61 open andfluid passes between the sleeve 61 and the base pipe 32. When pressurein the interior of the base pipe 32 is higher than the pressure in thescreen assemblies, the pressure differential tends to hold the flexiblesleeve 61 into sealing engagement with the exterior of the base pipe 32thus restricting flow, and in certain instances, sealing against flowfrom the interior of the base pipe 32 toward the screen assemblies. Noaccess into the wellbore is required to actuate the check valve 62between restricting or sealing against outflow and allowing inflow.Rather, the check valve 62 is responsive to pressure and direction offlow.

Although described as restricting or sealing against flow from the basepipe 32 toward the screen assemblies, the orientation of sleeve 61 couldbe reversed and the check valve 62 could alternately be configured torestrict or seal against flow from the screen assemblies toward the basepipe 32. Additionally, although described as a unidirectional flowcontrol device, the check valve 62 can alternatively be configured as abidirectional flow control device having a lower resistance to flow fromthe exterior to the interior of the base pipe 32 than from the interiorto the exterior of the base pipe 32. For example, additional apertures59 not between the sleeve 61 and the filter assemblies, and thus notrestricted to one-way flow, can be included in the base pipe 32.Finally, although one example of check valve 62 has been shown, thereare many other configurations of check valves that could be used asvalve 60, including ball-type check valves, spring type check valves,and/or other types of check valves.

FIGS. 4B and 4C show an example autonomous valve 65 that could be usedas valve 60. The autonomous valve 65 autonomously (i.e., without humanor other interaction) changes between allowing and restricting againstflow between the interior of the base pipe 32 and the wellbore 12 viathe filter assemblies 38 in response to a fluid flow characteristic,such as, at least one of fluid flow rate, viscosity or density. Forexample, the autonomous valve 65 can become more restrictive of fluidflow as the flow rate increases and less restrictive as the flow ratedecreases or vice versa. The autonomous valve 65 can become morerestrictive of fluid flow as the viscosity fluid increases and lessrestrictive of viscosity of the fluid decreases or vice versa. Theautonomous valve 65 can become more restrictive of fluid flow as thefluid density increases and less restrictive as the fluid densitydecreases or vice versa. In certain instances, the autonomous valve 65can automatically be more restrictive to water than oil or vice versa,more restrictive to gas than oil or vice versa, and/or more restrictiveto production flow (i.e., flow from the wellbore 12 into the interior325 of the base pipe 32) than to injection flow (i.e., flow from theinterior 325 of the base pipe 32 into the wellbore 12) or vice versa.

Several examples of autonomous valves that could be used as theautonomous valve 65 are disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No.12/700,685, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTONOMOUS DOWNHOLE FLUIDSELECTION WITH PATHWAY DEPENDENT RESISTANCE SYSTEM”, filed Feb. 4, 2010,the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. Still otherexamples exist. For the sake of discussion, FIG. 4C shows a cylindricalprojection of one example autonomous valve 70 that can be used as thevalve 65 in FIG. 4B. Notably, example autonomous valve 70 includes nomoving parts. The cylindrical projection shows a fluid separator 46 withmultiple passages 74, 76, 77 each having a different resistance to flowin relation to a characteristic of the fluid flow. Passages 76, 77include fluid diodes 49 that provide resistance to flow based on thedensity, viscosity and velocity of the fluid they receive. The multiplepassages feed into a fluid amplifier 80 and the flows from the passagesact on each other to direct the total flow based on the respectivemomentum of flow from the passages 74, 76, 77. The amplifier 80increases the total fluid flow's tendency to flow towards one direction,and thus directs the flow to preferentially enter one or another ofmultiple passages 84, 86. Flow from the passages 84, 86 combines in afluid switch 795 together with flow from another passage 797. Flows fromthe passages 84, 86, 797 again act on each other to direct the totalflow based on the respective momentum of flow from the passages 84, 86,797. The total flow preferentially enters one of two inlets 54, 56 to afluid diode 52. The inlets 54, 56 of the fluid diode 52 are arranged sothat the fluid diode 52 provides more resistance to fluid flowing frominlet 54 to the outlet 58 than to fluid flowing from the other inlet 56toward the outlet 58. The result is that the resistance to flow throughthe autonomous valve 70 as a whole depends on the characteristics of thefluid flow, such as its density, viscosity and/or flow rate.

FIG. 5 shows an axial cross-section of an example well screen assembly24, 26 having a pair of communication lines 92 running axially throughthe well screen assembly 24, 26. The communication lines 92 can runbetween the ends of the well screen assembly 24, 26 or terminateintermediate the ends, for example, at a sensor, controller or otherdevice. In some embodiments, the communications lines 92 are embedded orinstalled inside a channel 90 through the swell material 35 and therings 30, 31, 33. Although only two are shown, the channel 90 can holdfrom one to any number of communication lines 92. The ends of thecommunication lines 92, after exiting the rings 30, 31 can be affixed tothe exterior of the base pipe 32. The communication lines 92 can includehydraulic, electric and/or optical communication lines. Sensors,controllers and/or other components that communicate on thecommunication lines 92 can also be embedded or installed in the channel90. The communication lines 92 can be isolated from contact with thefluid in bore of the base pipe 32, as well as from fluids in the wellbore. For example, the communication lines 92 can be encapsulated inpolymer or other form of encapsulation. The communication lines 92 ofone well screen assembly 24, 26 can be connected to an adjacent wellscreen assembly 24, 26, which is coupled to yet another adjacent wellscreen assembly 24, 26, and so on, to enable communications over longerdistances, for example, between two or more well tools or otherequipment in the well bore and/or between the surface and well tools inthe well bore. In addition to enabling communication with well tools ofthe tubing string, the communication lines 92 can be used to signal oneor more valves 60 (FIG. 3C) in the control devices to open, close and/orchange restriction.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it willbe understood that various modifications may be made. Accordingly, otherimplementations are within the scope of the following claims.

1. A well screen assembly for installation in a subterranean wellbore,comprising: a base pipe comprising a sidewall opening to an interior ofthe base pipe; a filter assembly carried on the base pipe and comprisingan internal passage in fluid communication with the opening, the filterassembly adapted to filter against passage of particulate from thewellbore into the opening; a swell material carried in the base pipebetween the filter assembly and the base pipe, the swell materialadapted to expand under specified conditions and displace the filterassembly radially toward a wall of the wellbore; and a flow controldevice in fluid communication between the internal passage of the filterassembly and the opening in the base pipe and adapted to restrictcommunication of fluid with the opening in the base pipe.
 2. The wellscreen assembly of claim 1, where the swell material is adapted toexpand in contact with a specified fluid.
 3. (canceled)
 4. The wellscreen assembly of claim 1, where the flow control device comprises avalve adapted to selectively change between allowing and sealing againstcommunication of fluid with the opening in the base pipe. 5-7.(canceled)
 8. The well screen assembly of claim 4, where the valvecomprises an autonomous valve that changes between allowing andrestricting communication of fluid with the opening in the base pipe inresponse to at least one of fluid flow rate, viscosity or density. 9.The well screen assembly of claim 4, where the valve comprises a valvethat is selectively changeable between allowing and sealingcommunication of fluid with the opening in the base pipe in response toa signal. 10-12. (canceled)
 13. The well screen assembly of claim 1,further comprising a hydraulic, electric or optical communication linerunning axially through a length of the well screen assembly.
 14. Amethod, comprising: in response to the presence of a specified fluid,extending a plurality of filters on a base pipe from a retracted stateto a radially extended state in contact a wall of a wellbore; with thefilters, filtering against passage of particulate of a specified sizeand larger between the wellbore and an interior of the filters whileallowing flow of fluid; and restricting communication of the flowbetween the interior of the filters and a central interior bore of thebase pipe. 15-16. (canceled)
 17. The method of claim 14, whererestricting communication of flow comprises restricting communication offlow in a first direction between the interior of the filters and theinterior bore of the base pipe and allowing communication of flow in anopposing direction between the interior of the filters and the interiorbore of the base pipe.
 18. The method of claim 14, where restrictingcommunication of flow comprises restricting communication of flow basedon the flow rate, viscosity or density of the flowing fluid.
 19. Themethod of claim 14, further comprising communicating a signal along alength of the base pipe.
 20. A well screen assembly for installation ina subterranean wellbore, comprising: an elongate base pipe comprising asidewall opening to an interior flow bore of the base pipe; a filterassembly carried on the base pipe and comprising an internal passage influid communication with the opening, the filter assembly adapted tofilter against passage of particulate from the wellbore into theopening; a swell material carried in the base pipe between the filterassembly and the base pipe, the swell material adapted to expand underspecified conditions and displace the filter assembly radially toward awall of the wellbore; and a communication line carried by the base pipe.21. The well screen assembly of claim 20, where the communication linecommunicates between the axial ends of the well screen assembly.
 22. Thewell screen assembly of claim 20, where the communication line comprisesat least one of an electric, hydraulic, or optic communication line. 23.The well screen assembly of claim 20, where the communication line isencapsulated in polymer.
 24. The well screen assembly of claim 20, wherethe communication line is fluidically isolated from the bore of the basepipe and well bore fluids.